IN WAR-TIME ENGLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 12

IN WAR-TIME ENGLAND

FATE OF A RAIDER A COUNTRY HOUSE CHRONICLE The resolution and spirited manner in which the people of Great Britain are facing the ordeal of constant air raids is illustrated in a letter lately received by Lady Ferguson from a friend in England. Writing from Bailie House, in Dorsetshire, a few weeks ago. this woman provides a dramatic account of an incident of a type which is a common experience even in the rural districts. “ This last week you will all have been hearing of the repeated raids the enemy has been making on this country and the very small amount of success he has achieved.” she says. “We had an excitement at Bailie House recently. A Heinkel bomber came down in the field just the other side of the road from the house. Someone who was watching it said that every minute they expected it to hit the house. We heard it overhead and then heard the engine stop and rather wondered what was happening—being in 4he middle of the night we were all in bed. There was a loud ‘ plump! ’ which was the machine falling, but as nothing else happened we just turned over and went to sleep again! In the morning we heard the news and the whole household turned out to see the sight. Only then did we realise what an escape we had had. The engine had fallen into a field next to us, the rest of the machine crashing in the next field, where it was scattered all over the place—wheels in one direction, tail in an'other, while the monster itself was lying on its side broken and helpless, a complete wreck. Rationing Without Want

“ F writes that another came down during the first big raid last week (there are always small raids going on) on the other side of the village where she is living. So we have our excitements and will continue to do, I suppose, but everyone is full of courage and hope. Here in the country. except for planes passing overhead at intervals, normal life goes on. We have plenty of food, thanks to our grand navy and merchant ships. Our rations are ample—my butter is never finished when the next ration is due, and I am fond of butter. Perhaps we shall have less while these intensive raids continue, but it looks as if Hitler is getting a little anxious over his Blitzkrieg! Also his pilots, as they are now showing signs of * jitters.’ However, no one imagines it will be easy for us, but the morale of the people is wonderful. Nazi-ism and the Bible The writer continues: “ I tell you all this because I know how much you are thinking of us, and some of the German propaganda, which is such a mass

of lies, may be reaching you out in New Zealand. They and the Italians are now giving their losses as ours, and ■ speak of towns destroyed which, of course, has never happened. : One feels the support of New Zealand! Australia and Canada as a great source of strength. ' “ One has no respect left ■ for the Germans. They are a stupid and gullible people, who believe everything they are told by their 1 beloved Fulmer.’ He has been allowed to teach the whole of the younger generation that force and cruelty are right; spying on their own parents is part of their education. Hitler is their god—they are actually taught this, the Bible being altered to suit his teaching.”